<p>Have you ever thought about making and posting an online video?</p>
<p>If so, then I ask...“What’s stopping you?”</p>
<p>Maybe it’s a profound fear of looking like an idiot.</p>
<p>Understandable. But I can tell you from experience, you’re <br />always going to be far more critical than anyone else. So you <br />just have to get over it.</p>
<p>When I made my first video I thought I was having a bit of a <br />bad hair day. But I posted it anyway. Then lo and behold a <br />friend spontaneously posted a compliment about my hair when she <br />saw the video. Go figure.</p>
<p>Now, if you’re willing to make a little bit of a fool of <br />yourself, you can do like Lou Bortone, The Online Video Guy. <br />His videos are a hoot with crazy costumes and fun <br />personalities. I love watching them and know his stuff has gone <br />viral (<a href="http://www.loutube.com/">http://www.loutube.com</a>).</p>
<p>But you don’t have to do anything crazy to make an effective <br />video. Just offer valuable information in an upbeat manner. And <br />be authentic. People will love it.</p>
<p>Of course, maybe you’re stuck because you don’t know HOW to <br />actually record, edit, format and upload video to the Web.</p>
<p>Problem solved!</p>
<p>Below are exactly the steps I take. I’m not an online video <br />expert by any means. But I’ve had people who saw my videos get <br />in touch because that got them interested in hiring me. You can <br />do the same.</p>
<p>So, here’s how to record, edit and post a video online in 9 <br />simple steps...</p>
<p>1) Buy a Flip video camera. They cost about $125 (you don’t <br />need the fanciest one) and are well worth it—even if you <br />already own a traditional mini-dv recorder. Some people <br />recommend getting a Web cam instead. I know they’re <br />cheaper but they don’t come with all the features of the Flip <br />you’re gonna need to do this. Plus, you can’t take a Web cam <br />with you…And that’s half the fun.</p>
<p>2) Set up an account at either YouTube.com or MySpace.com. Or both.</p>
<p>3) Script and/or outline your video and practice it a couple <br />times. Shorter is better. I shoot for between 30 seconds and 3 <br />minutes. Longer than that and you gotta be talking about <br />something really interesting or you’ll lose people. Visual aids <br />are good if you want to hold people’s attention for longer <br />chunks of time.</p>
<p>4) Spend a few minutes making a couple test videos then record <br />the real thing. I often simply hold my arm out and aim the <br />camera back at my face to record my videos. I’ve also put it on <br />a little tripod and strapped it to a tree. You should note that <br />while they say it’s got a 12 ft range, I’ve found 6 ft or less <br />is optimal for decent sound.</p>
<p>5) Once you’ve got a video you like, plug your Flip into your <br />computer USB port and wait for the software to auto load. Now <br />you can edit and save your video. And it’s dead easy. If you go <br />into “create a movie” you can even add basic opener and closer <br />slides that fade in and out.</p>
<p>6) Once it’s all ready to go, just choose to share your video <br />online and the software will give you a choice of posting it on <br />YouTube, MySpace or prepping it for email. Make your pick and <br />follow the prompts. Once it’s done just click the link <br />to “return to browser” and you’ll go directly to the login page <br />of that site.</p>
<p>7) Log in to your account and choose to edit your video. Here <br />you need to add important bits like title, description and <br />keywords. Be sure to include your Website URL at the start of <br />your description with http:// before the www. Change any other <br />settings you’d like while you’re there as well. I typically <br />make comments allowed only with approval but always allow <br />public sharing.</p>
<p>8) Post your video at <a href="http://www.tubemogul.com/">http://www.tubemogul.com</a>. I learned about <br />this from Lou Bortone. This little service will repost your <br />video on tons of other sites automatically. Way cool!</p>
<p>9) Let everyone you know, know. Email about it. Post it—or a <br />link to it—on your Website and blog. Twitter about it. Stick it <br />on your facebook page...You get the idea.</p>
<p>I’ll admit, getting your first video out there can feel a <br />little scary. But I promise once you do one, you’ll see how <br />easy it really is and start having fun.</p>
<p> </p>
2009-08-28T19:10:28Z
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getting-started-with-online-videothe-easy-way
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2009-08-31T12:44:04Z
2009-08-31T19:44:17Z
When I made my first video I thought I was having a bit of a
bad hair day. But I posted it anyway. Then lo and behold a
friend spontaneously posted a compliment about my hair.
Getting Started with Online Video…The Easy Way!
1
2009-08-31T19:44:18Z