Business Video - What You Need To Know

So you've realized that YouTube is a hot marketing tool and you've heard about SEO (Search Engine Optimization).  Maybe you've even heard about VSEO (Video Search Engine Optimization) and integrating your video into your corporate Facebook site.  Maybe you're competitors have embedded video into their site and you're now trying to keep up with the Jones'.  Whatever your reason, you are looking to get into web video and looking to get into it fast...but where do you start? 

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to go out and buy that $12,000 High Def Video Camera that does everything but make your coffee in the morning.  Believe it or not, the video camera isn't the most important aspect of shooting your business videos.  Let me state that again just in case you missed it - THE CAMERA ISN'T THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL WHEN SHOOTING YOUR VIDEOS.  Here's why - Salesmen will tell you that you need the more expensive HD cameras because they make commission off of the items they sell.  That's kind of like asking an encyclopeida salesman if you need a set of encyclopedias.  But let me ask you this - how many people have High Definition computer monitors?  I would suggest very few.  For your video blogs or simple YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter posts, a flip video works perfectly.  You can get those for around $200.  These are very easy to use.  It's a one-button record with a USB port built in.  You simply shoot your video, plug it into your computer, press upload, and you're good to go.  It might seem awkward at first to see yourself on video, so practice it a couple of times until your comfort level builds up.  We're always our worst critics, so ask someone who is close to you and will tell you the truth on the quality of the content.  If you have to shoot it 3-4 times, so be it.  The more you do, the easier it will be.

If video cameras aren't the most important thing, then what is?  We've all seen the videos where you can't hear what the speaker is saying or that the speaker is so dark you can't see their facial expressions.  Sound and lighting are the most important aspects of any video shoot.  Invest money in a good microphone for starters.  This will cost you between $80 and $120 and will make all the difference in the world in your videos.  Lighting is just as important.  Don't go and buy $1,500 lights.  What works great are shop lights like you would buy at your local Home Depot for $40.  Bounce that light off of the ceiling or a close wall, not directly at you.  This should light up the room nicely and give your video a nice feel.  Play around with the angles until neither your face or background is shadowed.  Depending on the room, this might take 2-3 different lights.  Don't trust your desk lamp.  That is an ingredient for disaster.

If you are putting together a corporate video for television or corporate video branding purposes that needs to be professionally edited and lighted, do not try to do this with a flip video.  Hire the professionals for that.  There is a big difference in video strategy between an "amatuer look" and a commercialized product.  But for simple posts or video blogs, follow these quick hints and you will find yourself ahead of the curve.