By: Carlos Simão
If you are in the competitive field of Internet marketing, than you have probably realized that you must have the most current and technologically advanced methods of promoting your product or service, while many Internet marketers rely solely on text marketing, there are some that are moving into a modernized way of marketing. This method is through web videos, and it is quickly becoming one of the most vital ways for an Internet marketer to get information about their product or service to their customers. But why is web video so vital to the Internet marketer?
The main reason why web videos are so important to Internet marketers is because it allows them to connect with their potential customers on an intimate basis. Since there are so many Internet marketers consuming the web, it is extremely important that you stand out from the crowd. Also, another reason why Internet marketing is boosted by web videos is because it sets them apart from the various scams and other schemes that are surrounding the web.
More than likely, a customer has been scammed by an Internet marketer, thus many people do not pay heed to the marketing efforts that you put forth. A main reason for this is because you are following the same paths that many scammers have used. Thus, if you want to make a sale and gain the trust of a customer, than you must think outside of the box.
A great way to interact with your customers, and provide them with pivotal information is through using web videos. With a web video you are able to show the customer the product or service in action, without having to use fancy words or tricky sentences. You can be honest and upfront about the product and build a relationship with the customer. This is very important in turning a potential customer, into a purchasing customer. One great way to utilize web video is to simplify the product and give all of the information that the customer needs in less than three minutes. If you are able to successfully do this, you will help gain loyalty from the customer and they will be more likely to purchase your product or service.
Web videos are a great way to interact with potential customers, and also a great way to showcase your product. There are only so many words and photographs that you can use to get your message across, however, when you use video in conjunction with these other two communication methods, you will have a very successful stent at selling your product. The key to becoming a world class Internet marketer is to be honest, give important information and reason with the customers.
Allow them to feel that you understand where they are coming from, and how the product will actually enhance their life. And by using web videos, you are able to successfully do this. Remember, always make sure that the product is the star of your video and explain all of the benefits of owning this product or using your service.
Equipment You Need For Web Videos
So you’ve decided to make your first web video. This is a great step, especially if you are making a web video to help promote a product or service. However, there are several things that you must have in order to make your web video look professional, and entertaining to watch. Of course, the main items that you must have in order to make a web video are a digital video camera and a computer. However, the type of camera you have can greatly increase the quality of your video, or it can decrease it. While there are literally hundreds of different types of digital cameras out there that will record decent video, there are some that are way better than others.
If you are looking for a camera that will keep your web video looking professional and crisp, as well as easy to upload into your computer, you will want a hard drive camcorder. These hard drive camcorders will allow you to record stunning images, however, it is how you upload these videos into your computer for editing that makes them so great. With a hard drive camera, you are able to record video without the need of tapes or DVDs. This is made possible because the camera records information onto its hard drive. Once you have recorded everything that you need, you can simply attach the camcorder to your computer, usually through a USB cord, and then your computer begins to upload the videos into its own hard drive. After you have done this, you can then begin the editing process.
Choosing the right type of camcorder for web videos is extremely important, and if you know that you are going to be filming many web videos, than it is a good idea to invest in a decent camera that has great resolution and user-friendly exporting options.
Another piece of equipment that you will want to have is a microphone. While every camcorder comes with a built-in microphone, they will not give you the professional quality that you desire. You do not have to go out and purchase a $300 microphone in order to get good audio quality; however, you will want to have a microphone that allows you to guard wind and other types of background noises. Another reason why having a microphone is so important is because it will give you the chance to make videos that are not only pleasing to the eye, but also to the ears. Did you know that sight and sound makes up for 85% of the information that we absorb around us? This is why making sure you have a great quality camera and microphone is so important.
However, if you don’t have this last piece of equipment, than you will most likely not be able to post your videos online. The last piece of mandatory equipment for making web videos is a computer. Whether you are working with a desktop computer, or laptop, it is very important that your computer can handle the amount of CPU’s you are going to be requesting of it. However, even though you want to have your computer run smoothly, you will also want to ensure that it has enough memory to hold all of the information that you are going to be putting in it.
With many different files that need to be saved, such as massive video files, audio files and the other various types of media that will begin to accumulate onto your computer, you must ensure that you have ample memory. Many individuals that make web videos usually invest in an external hard drive. These are great accessories to have, and will keep your computer running smoothly, because the amount of memory needed will be spread out among different hard drives.
Planning Your Web Video
When you’re making a web video, you need to treat it like a major motion picture. Although, you will most likely not have to go to the extremes that Hollywood professionals do, there are some traits that you must pick up from them. The most important out of all these traits is designing and planning your web video. Making a web video that is powerful, entertaining and informative does not just “happen.” It takes time to plan out what you want to say, how you want to say it and the overall look that you want your web video to be. The post effective web videos are those that are composed and shot with care. The more time that you put into your web video, the better it will look.
However, it is understood that many people who want to make powerful web videos simply don’t have the time to sit around and map out every detail of the video. While doing so guarantees that you will have a aesthetically pleasing video, there is a simpler way to organize your web video. Before you ever begin to film, you must first have a shooting, or concept, script. Whether you literally write down dialogue that you want to say, or if you just need to organize your thoughts, always write a shooting script for a web video. If you are making a video for a product that you are selling, than you will want to explain the product clearly, and also demonstrate the product. This is one of the greatest aspects of web video, individuals are actually able to see the product in action before purchasing it.
Make all of the surrounding objects neat, or simply take them away. If you’re going for a unique look to your web video, make sure that all of the elements that you want to be seen are visible within the frame. A great way to make sure that you have a beautiful shot every time is to follow a simple rule, that even Hollywood filmmakers follow, and that is the Rule of Thirds.
When you’re filming in the Rule of Thirds, imagine that the screen is split into a basic tic-tac-toe formation. Always make sure that the person you are filming has their head placed on either the right or left side of the screen. Instead of filming a person that is precisely in the middle of the frame, move them over to the right or left section of the screen pattern. This will provide the viewer with a sense of balance, and will give your web video a professional appeal to it. You can see the Rule of Thirds in action within almost every web video or even in movies.
Next time you watch an interview, or a character in a film is giving a monologue, 90% of the time they will be positioned either on the right or left side of the screen, following the Rule of Thirds. Also, the most important part of filming a web video is to make a story out of the video. This doesn’t mean that there needs to be dramatics involved, although this can make for an interesting addition to your video, it simply means that you will want to create a sense of flow to the information that is being given out.
Best Editing Software For Your Web Videos
Let’s say that you just got back home from an amazing day of filming for your web video. You are certain that the video will gain you massive amounts of attention and traffic to your website; however, as you sit down at your computer you realize that you are missing something very important – editing software. You can have the greatest camcorder in the world, however, if you do not have sufficient editing software, than your web video will look unprofessional and unappealing. Editing software is extremely important for anyone who wants to make web videos, because this is how your video is actually put together.
There are literally hundreds of different types of video editing software available for you to choose from, however, the results you will have greatly depend on the type of editing software you use. While many editing systems boast that they will give you amazing results, when you are a first-time web video filmmaker, you will need an editing software that is powerful, yet user-friendly. And throughout the years there are several editing software companies that have proven themselves in the film making field. Perhaps the most popular editing software is Final Cut Pro. This great software will allow you to edit your video quickly, easily and professionally. Actually, many film industry professionals rely on Final Cut Pro to give them the high-quality results they require.
You can get these same types of results from Final Cut Pro, even if you are filming with an average grade digital camcorder. This is because within the Final Cut Pro system, you can add filters and effects that will create a web video that looks as if it was made by top Hollywood filmmakers. There has really never been an editing software that is so complete, and yet, so easy to use. Actually, Final Cut Pro has won the coveted Emmy award for its wonderful additions to the filmmaking world. Imagine what your web video will look like after you have edited it with this wonderful software?
Another great film editing software is the Windows Movie Maker. If you have a recent computer that runs on the Windows operating system, than you will most likely have Windows Movie Maker already installed onto your computer. While this isn’t the most comprehensive and professional editing software, it will still provide you with ample resources to compile a very professional and appealing web video.
It is true that the quality of your web video greatly depends on the camera you use, however, it also depends on the exact type of film editing software that you use. Even if you can’t afford the highest-grade editing software, there are still many great, and free, editing software suites that you can use, all of which will give you results that you’ll be proud to show off.
How To Edit Your Video For The web
A web video is only as great as the editing that created it. It doesn’t matter if you have used a state-of-the-art camera, and had perfect angles, if you do not edit your video correctly for the Internet; than you will quickly find that your video is not suitable for Internet use. Just because your video looks great on film, and on your computer, it doesn’t always mean that it will look good when being used on the Internet. This is why there are several rules that you must follow when you are editing a web video.
There are many great web video editing tips out there, however, there are several that are the foundational tips you must follow. Of course, like any video, you must film with editing in mind. When you are filming your web video, make sure that you stay away from sudden camera movements, and long-distance shots. Because of the averagely small size of a web video, when your video features many long-distance shots, you will notice that the clarity is off, and many people will not know what they are looking at. Keep everything simple, for the most part, and always make sure that you stick with close-ups. As
a web video filmmaker, close-ups will be your new best friend, and it is a great way to keep your audience’s attention.
Also, when you are editing your web video, you want to keep sudden, or quick, transitions at a minimum. This is because just in case some of your viewers are running at a lower Internet connection, when you have quick transitions, their player might actually skip over a pivotal scene, and it will make the video seem choppy. The main rule in web video editing is to make sure that everything is smooth. If you look at some very popular web videos, you will notice that there is very little actual camera movement and camera editing performed. Actually, there is a rule among many web videographers that they follow exactly.
This rule basically says that all of their web videos should be done with one take. This means keeping massive amounts of transitions and different shots at a minimum. While some videos require having many different shots, especially if you are making a how-to video, try to keep these shots smooth and precise. However, if you are merely explaining a product, try to do so in a single shot, which will require little-to-no actual video editing. The only editing that you may do is add text screens and other types of informative frames.
Editing for the web is much different than any other type of editing. If you have performed editing for actual films and other productions, you may find that editing for the web is boring, or extremely easy. However, once you see the finished product on the Internet, and understand how smooth editing and minimal transition shots reflect the overall condition of the web video, than you will finally understand why minimal editing is key.
Web Video Filming Tips
Unless you are a professional videographer, you probably don’t have any credentials to fall back on when you’re making a web video. The fact is, most people that make web videos have little to no experience in filming, and the techniques that come with it. If you are not a professional filmmaker, than it is easy to make blatant mistakes that will cost you viewers and credibility, however, there is hope. Making a web video is not nearly as complex as making a major motion picture, and actually most people can make a very attractive web video once they learn several basic techniques.
When you’re making a web video, you must remember several things in order to ensure a beautiful outcome. Like most things in life, how you present something is how the viewer will respond. Basically, the delivery of your web video accounts for the success of the video itself. It doesn’t matter if you have the answer to world hunger, if you do not divulge this information correctly, most viewers won’t watch the video past five seconds. When you are shooting your web video, remember, everything that is viewed online is much smaller than it would actually be.
If you have filmed a non-web video before, than you may have a difficult task in front of you. You must learn how to create larger-than-life illustrations to your message. Remember, video on the Internet is usually only 320 x 240 pixels, which is very small. You must provide your information to where it is easily seen, even on a small scale.
As you’re preparing to film, make sure that you do not use certain types of camera movements, as well as various types of colors and patterns. Always stay away from detailed clothing patters, such as stripes and other types of lines. These will usually come across as a pixilated mess when it is streamed over the Internet. Also, avoid moving the camera around frequently.
The reason why this is not a good idea is because if a viewer as a slower internet connection, than they will most likely have a video that skips, and if the camera is moving around frequently they will have a very unpleasing viewing experience. In the same manner, make sure that what you are filming does not move a lot. If you’re filming a person, make sure they don’t sway side-to-side or move around.
In order to keep the look of your web video as professional as possible, make sure that you stay away from high-contrast lighting and spots of very bright light. This will usually come across as blurs of light when viewed over the Internet, and will ruin the quality of your web video. Also, it is a great idea to invest in a tripod. When you use a tripod you are able to capture perfectly still shots, and if you have to move, you can make the movement extremely smooth and lucid. And most importantly, keep the camera in focus.
While many people rely on the auto focus feature on their digital camcorder, this is not always a good idea. Although, there are many camera’s that do not allow you to manually focus, try to find a camera that does allow you to do this. You will have better control over the quality of the video, and you won’t have to worry about the picture going out of focus because a car drove past the lens.
Where To Post Your Web Video
So you’ve spent countless hours thinking, planning, filming and editing your web video. And finally, the video is ready to be distributed across the Internet. However, there is only one problem; you aren’t quite sure where you should put your video? There are literally hundreds of websites that allow you to upload your web video; however, not all of these sites will give you the traffic that you want desire.
When you are searching for locations to post your web video, you will want to ensure that they have enough daily traffic to give your video a chance to shine. Of course, there are plenty of websites that will allow you to have this exposure, they key is putting your video on the right sites.
For many individuals who make web videos there is only one site that provides them with enough traffic and daily viewers to satisfy their need for page views. This site is YouTube, and it is quickly becoming one of the top sites for individuals to be entertained, informed and enlightened. With the ability for literally anyone to post a video, you are able to show the world what you have to say.
However, the key in getting your video seen by YouTube members is by placing keywords that are popularly searched and relate directly to what your video is about. If you are showing a new product, type in keywords that refer to the product and what it fixes. It is very simple to gain views from YouTube; however, you must know how to describe your video properly.
Another website that is quickly becoming popular in posting videos is MySpace. There have been many individuals who have gained notoriety through this site, and if you are promoting a service or product, than you don’t want to miss this website. The reason why videos do so well on this website is because it allows you to watch videos and then instantly show your friends, because MySpace is more than a video hosting site, it is an extremely popular social networking site.
Thus, if your video truly sheds light on a particular subject, or is very helpful, it won’t be long until your video makes its rounds throughout thousands of friend’s lists. Of course, make sure that your video clearly explains its topic and is very helpful, because the last thing that you want to do is mislead an army of MySpacers.
If you want to post your video on another site that has millions of visitors, than you will want to put your video on Google Video. This amazing website will allow you to post your video, similar to YouTube, and then let people search for the video either through the main page at Google Video, or through the Google search engine. Again, this is where putting proper keywords is extremely important, if not pivotal to your videos success.
Remember, if you put time and energy into your video, you will want to also put time and energy into where and how you post your videos. By doing so, you will most likely experience web video success, and increased traffic to your website.
Web Video Contests
If you have made any type of web videos, did you know that you could enter these videos into various types of contests? One of the greatest aspects of web videos is not the fact that they provide viewers with information, but rather they allow individuals to explore themselves creatively.
And what a better way to showcase your creative web video than by uploading it into an online web video contest, which you can win prizes that normally include cash. However, there are several things that you need to know before you submit your web video into a contest.
Before you submit any web video into an online contest, you need to make sure that you read all of the rules and regulations. This is because not every contest is open to any type of video submission. Normally these types of contests are made for a specific type of video.
The reason why they do this is because it will limit the number of submissions, thus making their job slightly easier, while still rewarding the best type of video in a certain category. There are literally hundreds of different types of web video contests available, all of which have a specialized genre. If you are looking for a place that is unlike traditional contests, but still rewards you with cash, than you may be interested in AtomFilms.
This company specializes in releasing only high-quality web videos, which means that if your video get selected, than you will have the ability to say your video was on AtomFilms. However, bragging rights is only half of the prize; after your video has been featured you are available to receive royalties from this web video. The limit to the amount of money that you make with your web video through AtomFilms is limitless; however, don’t expect to quit your day job.
Another great web video contest is the various contests that are featured on YouTube. Who would have thought that the world’s most popular video sharing site would be home to some really amazing video contests? There are always several different types of contests that are live, thus it is a great way to fill your time by making a certain type of video, as well as gaining a following through the promotion your video will receive. Of course, like all video contests, make sure that you read the rules and follow them. The last thing that you want to happen is have your video removed because you did not follow the rules.
Also, remember that many of these video contests require that your film be formatted a certain way. In order to make sure that your video is received and reviewed promptly; make sure that you have formatted your video to the format that has been requested. Online web video contests are a great way to have fun with a passion you have, as well as being rewarded for your time. However, there are also many different reasons why individuals take part in online video contests.
Perhaps the number one reason is to have a public outlet to express themselves. And it’s because of this, that many people find themselves constantly submitting their web videos to contests.
Adding Captions To Your Web Video
Once you have decided to take part in making web videos, you have probably taken all of the necessary steps to creating magnificent videos. You have most likely figured out what you want to say, how you want to say it and where you’re going to film. However, there is probably one aspect about web videos that you did not think of. When you’re in the production and editing phase of your web videos, do you ever think, “How will individuals who can’t hear well understand my video?” More than likely, you have not thought about adding any type of hearing assistance aid to your web video, because honestly, no one has said you have to.
Because there is no regulation regarding putting captions onto your personal web video, you probably have not thought about adding captions to your video. However, this is a tragedy because there are currently over 20 million individuals who are hard of hearing. And because of this, they may watch your video and not understand what you are saying or doing, because they can’t hear you. Many people do not add captions to their web video because it is honestly hard work. It is a long process to add captions, however, if you are able to do it there are major benefits. The main benefit is gaining a whole new following, which are the individuals who are hard of hearing.
If you want to add captions to your web videos but don’t want to wait the extra days to upload your video, there are options for you. What you can do is when you first complete your video, you upload it where you want, whether this be on YouTube or you personal blog. However, after you have finished your first version of the video, and it is running live, begin to add captions to the same video. Since the video is already available for people to watch, you will not have to sacrifice viewers because you want to add captions. You can now take your time to add captions, and then when you are finished you can upload a second video for the hearing impaired. This will not only grow your viewership, but it will show that you care about these millions of people who are hard of hearing.
If you are afraid that you don’t know how to add captions, you don’t want to take the time, than you can use a service to add the captions for you. There is a company called dotSub, which will actually transcribe and add captions to your personal video. This is great if you have a popular video blog, but you want to make it accessible for individuals who are hard of hearing. When you find yourself in this standpoint, than you can submit your video to this company, and they will do all of the work for you. One of the best features about this company is the fact that they can transcribe and add captions to your video in a multitude of different languages. Thus, if you have an international audience, they are more than able to understand what your video is telling them.
How To Get Traffic Through Web Video
There is one common goal among all webmasters and that is to increase their page views and traffic. However, the main question is, how can you do this? With literally thousands of how-to books circling the web, and bookstores, explaining that they have the “secret” to increased traffic; it is very difficult for a webmaster to choose the correct way to gain traffic. While some of these books actually have great tips and information on gaining visitors to your site, there is one method that has proven itself in the last couple of years as being one of the best ways to attract loyal viewers, and potentially customers. This is done through the medium of web video, and it is an extremely powerful method to creating a high-profile website that is visited by thousands of individual’s everyday.
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why so many webmasters are using web video as a means to drive traffic is because it is a great, and free, way to interact with potential visitors, as well as providing them with pivotal information that is fun to watch. Web video is an amazingly powerful way to show your viewers information, and inform them of your various website and products. There are several keys that you must follow when making a web video for website promotion. When you follow these tips, you will be able to have an extremely successful web video campaign, and you will reap the benefits of this.
The most important key to using web video for website promotion, is to make videos that are interesting, entertaining and above all else, informative. Individuals will find your videos based on what they are about. If you are selling a how-to book on fixing home appliances, the best way to reach your audience is to make short videos on how to fix various problems within your home. An example of this would be to make a web video explaining the steps to fixing a leaky faucet. This not only will give your viewers a chance to see how informative your information is, but you will also be helping them out as well.
More than likely, when you provide a web video that answers a question, the viewers will come to your site to find other answers to their various questions. This is a great way to build loyalty with the potential customer, as well as giving them an actual reason to purchase your product.
After you have compiled several videos on your topic, you will then need to post these videos online in order for them to be seen. Yet, the biggest question is, where should you post you web videos? There are literally hundreds of various web video sites that allow you to put your own video on their server. However, the key is finding the correct site to place your video on. It’s no question that YouTube is the most popular video site on the Internet.
And by placing your video, along with proper keywords, on YouTube you will soon be experiencing a flow of constant traffic to your site. Although, if you do not want to go through and post your videos on all of the various websites by hand, you can use video submission services to do this for you. Perhaps the best out of all these systems is Traffic Geyser. This system will submit your video to all of the major video hosting websites, thus growing your traffic immensely.