vlogging workshop

Vlogging Workshop 11:30a - 1:15p

@faintstarlite @dcrmom @jendisjournal@audreymcclellan @extraordmommy

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Why add video?

Adds additional storytelling element

Gives you access to personally communicate with your community

Your audience will ‘get to know’ you in a way that isn’t possible via the written word


What you should know...Companies are looking for women with video editing skills

You can demonstrate a skill or create a how-to

Videos are easy & effective SEO boosts

You can make money. Cha-ching!

It’s never been easier2006 Time Magazine Person of the Year cover


(comScore Video Metrix)

31 billion video views

84.8% of the total US Internet audience

average duration of video: 4 mins

(comScore Video Metrix)

November ’09 saw a record-breaking 170 million Americans viewing video online, which breaks down to:


80% of people watch a video when it is on a website

52% will take action after watching a video

...in case you didn’t catch that

(that is very impressive to marketers!)(comScore Video Metrix)


Amazingly, web videos do not only consist of this:


Decisions, Decisions


Hardware Options

1. Price point

2. Desired use (will you be indoor in low lighting?)

3. How will the video be viewed? (4:3 SD or 16:9 HD)

4. The kind of storage system you want to deal with (SD cards, hard drives or tapes)


Tapeless Pocket Cams

Flip Video $99

Kodak Zi8 $179

Creative Vado $99

photos: CNet.com


Tapeless Camcorders

JVC Everio (SD card) $299

Sony Handycam HD (SD card) $349

photos: CNet.com


Tape Camcorders

Canon ZR850 (Mini-DV) $199

Canon HV30 HDV (Mini-DV) $799

photos: CNet.com


Prosumer Attachments

photos: flickr.com/photos/localmotion

fancier lens & shotgun mic(mic input + shoe required)


You don’t want to buy anything?

Chances are you’ve already got video capability...


Other devices

Webcam (internal)

Webcam (external) $20+

Digital camera Cell phones

iPod nanoWednesday, February 10, 2010

Software Options

1. System limitations (PC vs Mac) + memory

2. Price point

3. How fancy-shmancy are you going to edit

4. Know your end game - selling videos usually requires HD exporting capabilities


PC

Windows Movie Maker (free)

Pinnacle Studio HD $49

Corel VideoStudio $59

photos: CNet.com

Adobe Premiere Elements $79 Adobe Premiere $799Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Mac

iMovie (free)Final Cut Express $199

Final Cut Pro $999

photos: CNet.com


Hosting

syndicate using:Wednesday, February 10, 2010

8 rules to vlog by


1. Plan ahead: use notes or an outline to stay on point

practice a few times before turning the camera on so you can feel how it will flow

http://www.flickr.com/photos/witheyes/121527260/




2. Keep the camera steady!do.not.move.the.camera. - if you pan around it will look like a bad home videouse a tripod or lean against something to stay steadytoo much motion makes footage unwatchable

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cdtwigg/3669965665/

Gorilla Tripod$20




3. Audio can make or break youbest case scenario: use an external micnext best: be within 5ft of the camera with little background noisemake sure the room isn’t too empty or you’ll echo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drurydrama/4266958089/

Logitech USB mic$20

Blue Snowball condenser$79




4. Pay attention to lightinguse natural daylight whenever possibleset up lights if needed (just make sure it’s not blinding you or creating creepy shadows)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonalley/4201691549/

Portable Work Lights$30




5. Location, location, location!de-clutter your backgroundhave something to look at, don’t sit in front of a white wall - it’s boringfilm outside (remember rule #4)change it upuse a green screen

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chanc/1490625922/Wednesday, February 10, 2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chanc/1490625922/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chanc/1490625922/

6. Show or demonstrate what you’re sayingcut to relevant footage or photosuse props... they’ll keep viewers engaged

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobeirasa/2263070305/Wednesday, February 10, 2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobeirasa/2263070305/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobeirasa/2263070305/

pretend the camera is a friend you like to gossip with, it’ll help you to talk more naturallylook up slightly, it’s more flatteringenhance emotional response: show lots of energy + passion (pick topics you have a passion for & it’ll show)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotologic/435457697/

7.




8. Keep it short.

...how short? as short as possible.

the sweet spot for attention span is < 2minhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/84299143@N00/2969603246/




You’re not alone. How you’ll look on camera

What’s happening in the background

The process being too time-consuming

Being critiqued publicly

Learning new tech stuff

At first, you might worry about...

Start simple. Practice. Learn. Discover.http://www.flickr.com/photos/spine/419733435/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/spine/419733435/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spine/419733435/

Not camera ready?Use voiceover

Film someone else

Do a slideshow or stop-motion

Video screen captures (you can even interview via Skype by using a program to record the video conversation)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/3984189865/




Release formsEspecially if you plan to make any money off your videos, getting release forms signed is a must.

Individuals

Locations

Copyrighted material

The fine print:


CopyrightsEverything in the known universe is copyrighted. Including:

MusicTV showsMusic videosVideos of live concertsPerformancesMovies and trailersCommercialsPhotos

The fine print:

...these socks


Improving your skills


5 angles that tell a story...

1. Start with a close-up action (the money shot)Then answer the viewer’s questions for them...

2. Who is performing the action? (cut to face)3. Where is s/he? (wide angle of the location)4. What is s/he looking at? (over the shoulder)5. Anything else going on? (side shot)


Growing your audience


Tip #1: Video placementPros

Cons

- More views + engagement- SEO: Videos come up in Google - Community sites often take YouTube links- Universality: people know how and DO share & embed- Easy integration & autoposting - Comments: WordPress Genki plug-in - Partner Program

- Lack of demographic focus- Mean, ugly internet trolls


You get 3 shots to load your video up with searchable keywords. Get it right and you’ll consistently gain viewers...

1. Title

2. Description

3. Tags

Tip #2: Keywords

Tag your heart outSearch for related popular videos and piggyback on their success to become

the related videoBe strategic & use current events + popular searches to your advantage


Tip #3: Grab their attentionEveryone knows to be responsive to comments and messages - with video it's no different

Create video responses

Apply videos as responses

Be on the pulse of hot topicsYour thumbnail matters!

Make people want to click.


Use the share / embed feature

Autopost your content

Use annotations

Add friends on YouTube, then share content with them

Be featured (don’t be afraid to send links to your videos around!)

Tip #4: Spread the word

Annotation: a pop-up with a call to action


Tip #5: Building CommunityParticipate in communities:

SayItFaceToFace.comMom Vloggers ClubVloggerHeads.com

Get other people involved via interviews + collaboration videosAgree to cross-promote with friendsCreate mashups (video mix)Pay to have your video promoted


Tip #6: Generating $$$

Create content for a website

Ads (preroll, 1/3 footer, “brought to you by”, player skin)

Sponsor + company partnership

Reviews for money

For a contest, live show, or as part of earning reward points like on MomTV & ExpoTV

*Start asking for compensation now

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amagill/3366720659/Wednesday, February 10, 2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amagill/3366720659/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amagill/3366720659/

other ways to make a profit...

Hosting events

Brand spokesperson

Consulting services


Q&A


vlogging workshop

Technology

video capability

video views

comscore video metrixwednesday

bad home video

camera steady

footage unwatchable

youll echo http

desired use