Adding video to your website or blog can be a challenge, but it can also take your site to the next level. We tried to modify one of our popular features from one of our other websites by adding video content. Easier said than done, if you ask me. Although I don’t think our first effort will be winning any major awards anytime soon, we did learn a few things:
- Not everyone should be in a video. I learned this from watching other videos, and people have often told me that I have a great face for radio (that’s the joke, get it?) I still like to talk to people, and don’t have a problem facing the camera. Remember the music artist Rick Astley? Never gonna give you up? He sold tons of records before people actually saw what he looked like (the face just didn’t match his amazing soulful voice) and his career hit the skids. Point well taken.
- You may have a lot of information to get across, but remember to use the K.I.S.S. method when doing your presentation: Keep It Simple Stupid. If you can’t get your message across in a few words, give up (anti-Rick Astley reference).
- Make it entertaining and you will get a positive response. My first video was packed with information, and one of my personal friends (and supporter of the website) sent me the most helpful response: You Suck. The video didn’t capture my humorous nature, or as she put it “You weren’t yourself”. By all means, be yourself, just don’t suck.
- Keep it short. We tried to do a 30 second spot, and it took several hours and several takes/editing sessions to get it down to 30 seconds. Our goal is to have a continuing segment that keeps things brief, funny, informative and worth waiting for each week. If you build it, they will come but if you make it funny they will bring their friends too!
Have you made a video and posted it to your website/blog? There are many different ways to add video content for free (youtube, vimeo, etc. ) or you can upgrade to premium packages that include HD (we chose to upgrade our Vimeo package and are happy with the results.)
We also use Sony Vegas Pro 8
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Sire on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 12:22 am
I think I’ve ever done two personal videos, one was meant to be funny and the other an instructional video. The first one was definitely a lot more fun and drew a lot of comments. The other not so much fun but still seemed pretty popular, so overall I reckon adding video to your blog is a pretty good thing to do.
Sire´s last blog ..WassupBlog’s Ultimate Blogging Contest
Doug Dillard on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 11:07 am
Where can we see these videos Sire?
Sire on Fri, 21st Aug 2009 3:45 am
Well this one was pretty popular
Sire´s last blog ..Cash Burners And Their Electronic Super Cigarette
The Gooroo @ iBlogPlanet on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 12:54 am
I think I’m going to start posting some videos soon. I’ve seen a few bloggers do it (Deneil being one) and it really livens up his blog. So what you’re saying is true. By the way, is Sony Vegas Pro 8 is not freeware?
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Doug Dillard on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 1:22 am
Sony Vegas is not freeware. I wish it was
The Gooroo @ iBlogPlanet on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 2:24 am
Thought so. No worries though — as bloggers, we need to spend to earn in a sense. I’ve tried Windows Movie Maker and I found it to be horrible. I’m sure Sony Vegas has a lot more features.
The Gooroo @ iBlogPlanet´s last blog ..CommentLuv Coming To iBlogPlanet Soon!
Benjamin Cip on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 5:02 am
Yes videos are great to liven up your blog! I was thinking about doing some videos too..
Benjamin Cip´s last blog ..Special Discount Of The Week!
Doug Dillard on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 11:51 am
Videos are great… we have a bunch of tutorial videos planned for this site… just need to find the time to make them
Lee Ka Hoong on Wed, 19th Aug 2009 8:42 pm
That’s great! I think most of us are excited to see the tutorial videos on this blog too Doug! In fact, sometimes too many wording may make readers get bored, so video might have more fun and interesting.
Regards,
Lee
Lee Ka Hoong´s last blog ..The Next Generation Google Search Engine : Google Caffeine
Jacob Yap on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 12:51 am
That’s neat, Ben. Can’t wait to see your video
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TechZoomIn on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 9:20 am
Video is worth of 1000 pictures. I love to see videos instead of reading pages.
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Doug Dillard on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 11:54 am
I like a combination of both videos and written content, but for things like tutorials… I like to watch someone actually walk me through whatever it is.
Compute Live on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 10:47 am
I have never done any videos prior.. But I think its a good idea.. I have just bought a Geforce 9600GT graphic card,I can make a video of unboxing it
Compute Live´s last blog ..20 Creative and Inspirational 404 Error Page Design
Doug Dillard on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 11:54 am
I can’t wait to see that video
Greg Ellison on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 11:57 am
I would rather listen to someone speak then read it, because I could be doing something else when I listen to someone. Greg Ellison
Greg Ellison´s last blog ..Have you done Affiliate Marketing
Doug Dillard on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 12:17 pm
That is true… I do like to click play on videos that I do not need to actually watch, and they open up a new tab and look at other things while listening to the video.
The Gooroo @ iBlogPlanet on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 8:51 am
Haha, I’m with you Greg! Makes multi tasking a lot easier. Actually, makes it possible. I don’t think anyone can read an article, and do something else at the same time (well, anything somewhat productive at least).
The Gooroo @ iBlogPlanet´s last blog ..CommentLuv NOT Coming To iBlogPlanet Soon
bbrian017 on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 12:32 pm
If you guys start doing video’s like this I’ll have to go by vlogengage hahah. I wouldn’t mind doing some vlogging but I’m afraid of doing it as I have low self esteem or something. I enjoy a video the most when it’s two things and sire did them both. I like tutorials and I like humor.
bbrian017´s last blog ..Vacation Update – Toronto Zoo
Doug Dillard on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 12:54 pm
Yeah Brian… I do not like being in front of the camera that much… but fortunately Mark loves it. He use to be a DJ for many years and still does some jobs on the side. So I could always get him to do it if we needed a person in the video. We will probably make more videos like we have here, utilizing Camtasia to create them.
bbrian017 on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 12:57 pm
I tried uploading a video once but had issues. What do you use to upload and run video on your blog? Can you ask Marc what he used?
bbrian017´s last blog ..Vacation Update – Toronto Zoo
Doug Dillard on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 1:52 pm
If we create the videos in Camtasia (which we have the newest version) it has a save for YouTube conversion button… so we save it in that and upload it to YouTube and/or Vimeo.
If we shoot a video with our Flip Camera our regular video camera… we edit it in Sony Vegas and we created a custom conversion setting for it that we found online somewhere and convert the video and upload to YouTube or Vimeo as well.
Asswass on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 1:38 pm
Did you see my Hiburrito Commercial? I know that it’s lame, but people found it funny and it was really easy to do.
Asswass´s last blog ..Rule #5 of Radical Marketing: Passionate Marketeers (Post 10)
Doug Dillard on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 1:52 pm
Can you put a link to it so we all can check it out?
Asswass on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 2:01 pm
Is on my sidebar Doug. It has always been there lol.
Asswass´s last blog ..Rule #5 of Radical Marketing: Passionate Marketeers (Post 10)
Doug Dillard on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 2:19 pm
Oh yeah… I did see that before. It is great and very funny! I love the Hee Haw sound effect!
Sire on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 3:33 pm
I used CyberLink PowerDirector for my Sire’s Ice Breaker Pick Up Line, which was my third most popular post. If anyone has the time it would be nice if you could vote it up on YouTube.
Sire´s last blog ..Sedo For Buying, Selling And Parking Domains
Christie on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 4:49 pm
Hmmm…I was born in Atlanta, GA, so I’m not sure anyone outside of the deep South USA would want to hear me speak (or at would understand me speak anyway), y’all!
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Doug Dillard on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 10:47 am
I love a good accent myself!
Sire on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 4:58 pm
I’d love to here you speak Christie and I’m pretty good with accents. Don’t you go clicking on that link I left in my last comment and it may not be suitable for a Southern Lady such as yourself.
Sire´s last blog ..Sedo For Buying, Selling And Parking Domains
Christie on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 5:16 pm
LOL Sire you are a true gentleman. Thanks!
Sire on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 6:34 pm
Of course, after all I am from way, way down south.
Sire´s last blog ..WassupBlog’s Ultimate Blogging Contest
earningstep on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 6:15 pm
100% agree with you . i reviewed this before on my blog. video is a must have feature one every blog
earningstep´s last blog ..Download free report from brad callen – keyword and keyword tactics
Mark Smith on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 1:26 pm
I love my Flip Video, but let me share this one bit of advice with you: don’t plug it into your laptop to show your friends the cool videos you just shot while your 6 year old son is trying to jump into your lap while the video camera is dangling off of the side usb port. It still works, but now I have major issues trying to open and close the connector port.
Man, are young boys just reckless with expensive equipment.
Tycoon Blogger on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 6:22 pm
Great post, I just added my first video post last week. I have a flip as well, it is the coolest piece of technology that I own. I plan on doing a lot more video posts in the future, I agree with you that it could really bring your blog to the next level
Doug Dillard on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 10:48 am
What’s the link Dan to your video?
MichaelR@VoIP and Tech Blog on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 11:19 pm
Doug, where is the video link?
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Doug Dillard on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 10:48 am
To what Michael?
Ricky on Wed, 19th Aug 2009 1:00 am
I have personally never tried making any video. I hope it will help me to make one. I will remember your K.I.S.S .lol
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Doug Dillard on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 11:09 am
That K.I.S.S. method works for a lot of things in life
Mark Smith on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 1:29 pm
It also worked on my honeymoon. Ha ha ha. I used to rely on this tip when I worked in the Restaurant Business. I believe it was one of the many methods I learned from reading “Service That Sells” by Jim Sullivan. I think that everyone in the service industry should be required to read this book.
Stefan on Wed, 19th Aug 2009 5:37 am
Another important thing is to have a plan and if possible some bullet points. I’ve seen far to many videos in 10 minutes with the person rambling on about nothing.
Stefan´s last blog ..How to Install Wordpress on Hostgator
Doug Dillard on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 11:06 am
Very good point Stefan.
Extreme John on Wed, 19th Aug 2009 8:00 am
I really like the idea of doing videos from time to time, I just prefer that I am not in them
I also have a tendency to make them a little too long, which can dilute your real message.
Extreme John´s last blog ..How Important are Your Passwords
Doug Dillard on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 11:10 am
Me too John on both your points.
Lee Ka Hoong on Wed, 19th Aug 2009 8:15 pm
Adding videos of ourselves can be really challenging especially for people who can’t speak English very well or English is not their mother’s language. But this can be improved our blog and bring our blog to the next level.
Between, when are you going to make a video in this blog Doug?
Regards,
Lee
Lee Ka Hoong´s last blog ..The Next Generation Google Search Engine : Google Caffeine
Doug Dillard on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 12:41 am
Lee… I have made a couple of videos for the site.
http://www.makingmoneyonline.com/the-ultimate-footer-ad-test/
and
http://www.makingmoneyonline.com/build-a-subscriber-list-for-free/
They are not great… but they are a start
Lee Ka Hoong on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 9:15 pm
Don’t worry Doug, at least you try, and this can be improved after trying few times. I’ve yet to ready for it, perhaps in coming days.
Thanks for sharing Doug!
Regards,
Lee
Lee Ka Hoong´s last blog ..The Next Generation Google Search Engine : Google Caffeine
George Serradinho on Wed, 19th Aug 2009 10:55 pm
I want to start creating video’s,but something always comes up and then I have no time at all. My site is in need of some home made video’s about this and that.
George Serradinho´s last blog ..Newest WordPress Plugins 20/08
Doug Dillard on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 11:12 am
The time factor is the biggest issue for me George. They do take some time to create, edit, convert, and upload.
Mark Smith on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 1:43 pm
George,
Give it a try, you may just be surprised how easy it can be.Keep it simple, entertaining, and to the point. Sometimes the mistakes made during filming are the best parts! We are only human,and we make mistakes. Also, having a style is important. Give it a shot and you know that this community will provide you with valuable feedback.
Tricia on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 9:32 am
Thank you Doug, you have really given me something to think about.
Tricia´s last blog ..JetBlue Airways launches their “Bikini Sale” Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Aruba only $29
Brad Harmon on Fri, 23rd Oct 2009 10:06 am
Doug,
I think you are right about certain people being made for video. There are some people who the camera just loves. I am pretty sure I am not one of those people.
Like Greg mentioned above, I love audio podcasts because I can continue to surf and just listen. I think when I start making videos that I will probably use slides, animations, etc. and just be the voice over person. I think it adds just a little more than audio podcasts, and people can either watch for the additional information or leave it in the background and just listen.
Brad
Brad Harmon´s last blog ..Is This How You Picture a Christian Small Business?